A prepper is someone who practices self-reliance and prepares well ahead of time for a disaster. Preppers also believe in living off the land and recycling much of what they use. The old saying, “waste not, want not” comes to mind when considering the prepper lifestyle.
While they’re busy getting ready for the upcoming tragedy/state-of-emergency/end-of-the-world scenario, they’re also looking at what they use daily that will help them once the big one hits. Preppers are always looking for ways to use what they already have and this includes products of convenience.
Preppers have long used empty 2 liter soda and juice bottles to fill with rice, purified water or to use them in place of toilets. They also keep on hand newspapers, cardboard boxes, plastic containers, and aluminum cans. These items are good to keep in abundance, but what are some of the items that you use every day that can be used again?
1. Foil should be on your must have list of supplies, but it can be used for many other things besides washing foil that’s been used and reusing it. Foil can also be used to sharpen knives or scissors by folding foil several layers thick and cutting it. You can roll up wads of foil and place it in shoes or boots to help them keep their shape. It can also be used to clean off a barbecue grill or any food that is stuck in a pot or on a surface.
2. Empty coffee cans are great to use to keep important papers or even money in them. Just make sure you wash them out well and thoroughly dry them.
3. Pantyhose can also be reused after their worn and the wearer doesn't want them anymore. You can use them out in your garden by cutting them to size and tying them securely at one end. Just place them over vegetation plants. The plant will still get oxygen and sun without the bugs or rodents having themselves a feast. By putting some clean kitty litter in a pantyhose leg and then tying it up makes it a great use to get rid of dampness or musty odors. These “sachets” can be placed in your plastic storage bins, closets, or in areas of the basement.
4. Juice boxes/yogurt containers are terrific for growing an herb garden in your kitchen or out on the patio/deck. Clean them out thoroughly and punch holes in the bottom (not too many). Fill it with an inch of potting soil. Plant your seeds and water generously every other week. You can also use the containers that your eggs come in.
5. Old doorknobs can be used in place of a pestle for crushing herbs or medications up. Just place whatever you need to pulverize into a wooden bowl and mash away.
6. An ironing board can be used as a prep table for cooking or a desk. Removal of the padding and cover is optional.
7. Plastic tablecloths can be cut and used as a poncho. They can also be made into a makeshift tent. If the tablecloths are small you can glue the ends together with polyurethane adhesive.
8. Keep tongue depressors in your first aid kit. They’re ideal for splints especially if you have a broken finger.
9. Every prepper should have large supply of plastic bags because they have a lot of uses. You can use plastic grocery bags as emergency galoshes by securing them around your ankles with string or rubber bands. Once an emergency hits, you can also use them to wrap around your pipes to prevent water and gas pipes from damage by just securing them with your trusty roll of duct tape. Bags that are sealed can be used to keep clothes fresh and mold free. To seal the bag just tie it tightly or use duct tape.
10. Every year over 3.5 million wire hangers are thrown out in the trash. What a waste! Wire hangers that are straightened can be used to secure a gate or a door that won’t lock. They can also be used on foot lockers that hold medicines or anything you don’t want your kids to touch. Using hangers to secure something only requires needle-nose pliers for the twisting. If you tie an old cloth to the end, it will help you remove cobwebs from high places.
11. Dryer lint should also be kept and stored in either plastic grocery bags or in sealed containers. So why lint? It’s an excellent fire starter. Every year over 15,000 household fires are caused by dryer lint that hasn't been cleaned out of dryers. Dryer lint can be used for good and not evil.
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